Anna Chant's Blog, page 3

September 2022

Hello and I hope everyone had a great summer! My summer has been busy with a trip to Dunwich, the Suffolk setting of The Girl from Brittia, where we sat in the sun, swam every day and caught up with some of my oldest friends. (That’s oldest in terms of how long I’ve known them rather than any advanced age in case they’re reading this!)

This was followed by a fantastic family holiday in Mallorca, where we swam, explored and went dolphin spotting, But now the summer is almost over and autumn approaches. Let’s hope it’s a good one!

Mysteriously Medieval

My WIP, still currently titled A Thing of Darkness cleared another hurdle as I completed a read-through on my kindle, where I look at it as a reader. That’s the good news. The bad news is that I spotted over 800 corrections/adjustments that need making! But here’s me, editing at 37,000 feet and looks like I’ve just revealed a character’s name. More details on them coming soon.

Other projects

It’s been a busy month, so I don’t have a lot to report on the next in the Tales of the Wasteland or Women of the Dark Ages series. But with the schools going back next week, I hope to get into a routine of doing a bit on at least one other project each day, as well as ploughing ahead with A Thing of Darkness.

Offers of the month

If the cost of living crisis is affecting you, wherever you are, why not discover a bargain book? For only 99p or 99 cents you can be transported for hours into a whole new world! The following are my books that are on a price drop in September.

Dawn of the Franks – the story of Basina of Thuringia

31st August – 7th September

Three Times the Lady – the story of Judith of Flanders

8th – 15th September

Fisher King

16th – 23rd September

God’s Maidservant – the story of Adelaide of Italy

27th September – 4th October

Palma

While on Mallorca I visited the stunning city of Palma, one of the places visited by Siward of Gloucester and his English exiles in Peril & Plunder. Looking out at the bay I could imagine his vast fleet sweeping in, causing the alarm to the local inhabitants, so their leader Ibn Aglab Al-Murtada is left torn between his natural hospitality and fear of his formidable visitors. The former wins out and he hosts them to a magnificent feast, perhaps in a palace on the same site as the one I saw in Palma. The cathedral there today is magnificent, but Siward would not have seen it. But maybe he would have seen the mosque that stood on the site before the cathedral was built.

August update

Welcome to August! I hope my friends in the Northern hemisphere are having a good summer and those in the south are having a good winter!

Mysteriously Medieval

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The first book in this new series is making good progress, with the second draft now completed. It also has a working title of A Thing of Darkness, although this may be subject to change. I am also completing the research into the second book in the series. That one already has a very definite title, but more on that in the future! I’d love to get A Thing of Darkness released for Halloween, but I suspect that may be over-ambitious. But I will at least commit to a cover reveal on that date if the book is not ready.

Tales of the Wasteland

As reported last month, the third book in the Tales of the Wasteland is bubbling away. I’ve actually restarted this book about three times, but I think I’ve now finally got it underway. One of the problems is that although it focuses on different characters, it inhabits the same timespan as Tyrant Whelp and Fisher King and at times it has felt like I’m simply rewriting Tyrant Whelp from a different point of view, instead of delivering the story of these characters. But I think I’ve finally managed to start it at a point where we can get straight into the action.

Women of the Dark Ages

I have very definitely found a new heroine for this series and research is going well, although there is still a lot to learn. She’s certainly quite a character! I’m not sure yet exactly how she will be portrayed. As a ruthless type, not afraid to resort to violence? Or as a woman fighting injustice in a male-dominated world? Or perhaps a bit of both! Her story is a long one and it may be that it will span two books. We shall see.

Dates for your diary

Here in the UK, we have a cost of living crisis and I believe things aren’t much better elsewhere in the world. Reading is the perfect form of escapism and if you can get it at a 99p or 99 cents bargain, all the better! Here are the dates for this month’s countdown baragains.

Courage of the Conquered

28th July – 5th August

The Girl from Brittia

5th – 12th August

Kenneth’s Queen

15th – 22nd August

What’s even better than a bargain book? A free book!

Rising from the Ruins will be free from the 26th – 30th August

Devon Book Hour

I was recently lucky enough to meet in person some fellow Devon authors and readers in scenic Totness. We are usually a virtual group and you don’t need to live or work in Devon to join in. If you love books or love Devon or both, join us on Twitter on Mondays 8 – 9pm UK time and discover giveaways, themed chats and a ton of great new reads! Use the hashtag #DevonBookHour

July update

I’ve found I’ve neglected this website in recent years and would like to start using it more regularly to keep everyone up to date on the latest news and updates, so welcome to July 2022!

A new series

My current work is the first book in a new series – Mysteriously Medieval. It will be set of standalone novels, more purely fiction than any of my previous works, although real people and events will still appear. These books will focus on myths, legends and any other mysterious phenomena from the medieval period. Unlike my previous books which have been set solely in the early medieval era, these ones may take place at any time between the fall of Rome and c1500. Having said that, in my first book I return to one of my favourite times – ninth-century Wessex. More info on this coming soon!

Tales of the Wasteland

I hope those of you who have bought Tyrant Whelp and Fisher King are enjoying them. Tales of the Wasteland will continue, but I’ve found writing them quite hard. Book three is underway, but I’m keeping it bubbling away in the background, writing a little whenever I can. Publication will likely be some time in 2023.

Women of the Dark Ages

If you had been wondering whether I had abandoned the Women of the Dark Ages series, the answer to that is no. It was always my intention to add to the family if I could find the right heroine. And I think I have found one! This book will be a little while off as I have not even started the research yet, but I hope to start that very soon.

Dates for your diary

It’s always good to save money, so if you’re looking for a bargain, the following books will be on a Kindle Countdown Deal in July – only 99 cents on Amazon.com or 99p on amazon.co.uk. This may also trigger a price drop in other markets.

Peril & Plunder 30th June – 7th JulyThe Saxon Marriage 12th – 19th JulyTyrant Whelp 21st – 28th JulyCourage of the Conquered 29th July – 5th August

Saint Swithin’s Day – 15th July

Swithun, Bishop of Winchester, friend and teacher to kings is a character in Three Times the Lady. His feast day is 15th July, so check the weather on that day.

St. Swithin’s day, if thou dost rain,
For forty days it will remain;
St. Swithin’s day, if thou be fair,
For forty days ’twill rain na mair.

Wishing everyone a lovely summer no matter what the weather!

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Meet the characters: The Royal Family of Dumnonia

Around two thirds of the chapters of Fisher King have now been signed off as good to go, which means publication is coming in the next few weeks. So it’s time to meet the last set of characters – the royal family of Dumnonia who dwell for the most part in the crumbling Roman town of Isca.

If you haven’t already read Tyrant Whelp, there’s still time to do so and get the back story of all these characters before Fisher King goes live!

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Markus, King of Dumnonia: Having taken the title King of Dumnonia from his disgraced uncle, Custennin, Markus is determined to hold onto it. Supported by his loyal brother, his only possible challenger is his cousin Gerren. At such a young age he is unlikely to be a problem, but all the same, Markus knows he will need to keep an eye on him or risk losing the position he loves so well.

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Rhys is Markus’ younger brother. Since the death of their father many years before, Rhys has always looked up to Markus and is devotedly loyal. Already a widower, Rhys is the father of one child – a boy named Tristan.

Aelwen is the widow of King Cado of Dumnonia and the step-grandmother of Markus and Rhys. Although she is the grandmother of Gerren, her main focus is self-preservation and so, even before the loss of her son, she has thrown her lot in with Markus.

Coming soon…

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Meet the characters: The Hawk Tribe

The final stages of a book always seem to take far longer than I expect, but Fisher King should be ready to go in the next few weeks.

And so it is time to meet some more characters. This time those of the Hawk tribe who occupy a moorland realm to the north of The Deer Tribe.

Dartmoor

Many of these characters also appeared in Tyrant Whelp, so don’t be surprised to spot some familiar names!

Enyon is the Under-King of the Moors, a realm famed for its tin and wool. Remaining unwed since the death of his wife many years before, he is devoted to his moorland kingdom and his daughter, Deryn.

Deryn has recently returned to the moors, following the loss of her husband and has taken her place as her father’s heir. Unwilling to marry again, she is determined to make a success of ruling the moors although her main preoccupation is to keep her son safe from the threat of the new King of Dumnonia.

Gerren is Deryn’s son, aged around five years at the start of the book. A favourite of the moorland folk, he is oblivious to any possible dangers and to the powerful destiny that has been foretold for him.

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Brynna is the High priestess of Bel and a skilled healer. Dwelling mostly at the Tor of Bel in the heart of the moors, she is frequently called upon to preside over the most important rites and rituals. She is also the mother of a son.

Belanger is the son of Brynna and like his mother, a skilled healer. A favorite of Enyon’s, many had believed that it would be him rather than Deryn who was chosen as heir. However, Belanger displays no resentment over this and has become a close friend of Deryn’s.

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Catris is a talented musician whose beautiful singing voice has made her renowned throughout Dumnonia.

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Eira is from a powerful moorland family who oversee the mining on the moors. Although her father is dead, she has a large and loving family including her mother, uncle and grandmother. At the start of the book she is a teenager, whose merry manner makes her well-liked among the moorland folk.

Coming soon…

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2021 – a year of nothing and everything

2021 was another strange year. Do we ever experience anything else these days? It’s a year that will loom large in the history books as the global pandemic continues, the USA saw big political changes, European political titan Angela Merkel stood down, corruption in the UK seemed to reach new heights, the Taliban took control of Afghanistan, a spectator-free Olympics in Tokyo and climate events across the world highlighted the continuing need for urgent action.

And yet in a momentous year I, like many of us, did little, staying at home far more than in previous years. Highlights of the year included indoor sky diving as we finally managed to celebrate my son’s eighteenth birthday, (only a year and a half late!) watching the UK Firework championships and a holiday in Wales.

Covid has naturally continued to impact our lives, but so far I have been fortunate not to have lost anyone to the disease. The vaccine has given us hope, but the end of the pandemic still seems distant. However in my family, there has been cause for celebration. After having his dreams dashed by the pandemic last year, my eldest son qualified as a ski instructor two days before Christmas, while my middle son wowed us all with his GCSE results in the summer (One 8 and ten 9s if you’ll indulge me in a proud mum moment!)

For my books 2021 seems to have been the year they took off, with sales that this time last year I could only dream of. I remain grateful for each and every one. One interesting trend was a big increase in the paperbacks sold in late November/December. Were people buying my books as Christmas presents? It’s a lovely but humbling thought to think of them being wrapped up and placed by Christmas trees.

This year saw the release of Tyrant Whelp in the spring. The second in the Tales of the Wasteland series, Fisher King remains an ongoing project but should be released early in 2022.

cover for Arthurian historical fiction Fisher King

In a year when travel was so difficult, it is fortunate that this book is set so close to home, with the key location just across the bay from my home. Accompanied by my youngest son, a research trip was another of the highlights of the year.

Berry Head

So as 2021 draws to a close, we look forward to 2022 perhaps with hope, perhaps with fear. My writing may start edging into a new genre if the idea I’m currently working on works. It will still be historical, set in the early medieval period, but there is a twist! Keep an eye on this page for more news on that as the year progresses!

But for now, whether you are family, friend, reader, fellow-writer, or simply passing by, all that remains is for me to wish you a very Happy New Year and every happiness for 2022!

Meet the characters: The Deer Tribes

As Fisher King clears another hurdle before publication, it is time to meet the characters. If you’ve read Tyrant Whelp many of these will be familiar and that book provides in detail the backstory.

But for those new to the series or who need a reminder:

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Brioc is the Under-King of the Oaken Valley, a realm that takes in not only one bank of the river, but the bay to the east of the river mouth. Aged around 27 years at the start of the book, he has been king since the age of 16, a role he has managed to much admiration. But despite a happy marriage of several years, he has no child and with life uncertain, he knows he needs to consider who might succeed him.

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Jenefry is the Under-Queen of the Oaken Valley, adorded by Brioc and his people. Devoted to her husband, her people and the Christian faith, she is also a skilled healer. But although she aids other women who are struggling to conceive, she is unable to help herself.

Ruan is Brioc’s younger brother and the two have a troubled and antagonistic relationship. With a reputation for wild, foolish behavior, Brioc is reluctant to name Ruan as his heir, something Ruan bitterly resents. With their relationship spiralling way beyond the usual sibling rivalry, what will the consequences be?

Hedrock has long been a supporter of Brioc. One of the elders of the tribe, he has become Brioc’s key advisor and closest friend. Might this be the man Brioc can entrust with his realm?

Meri is the second highest-ranking woman in the realm, after Jenefry and is one of the elders of the tribe. A kinswoman to Brioc and Ruan, she is friends with them both. She is also a friend to Jenefry and like her, a skilled healer. Young and usually unassuming in her manner, she is not afraid to voice her opinions – no matter who she offends. Unmarried, she seems determined to remain that way.

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Howel is the smith and the oldest of tribal elders. Exceptionally skilled at metal working, he has a high status in the realm.

Coming soon…

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Teasers for Fisher King

Fisher King needs just one further readthrough to check formatting and spot any last spelling mistakes. It is still on track for release before the end of the year or Jan 2022 at the latest.

It can be read as a standalone novel, but the backstory for many of the characters is covered in detail in Tyrant Whelp.

So, what to look out for in Fisher King? Here are some teasers!

1: Another Devon myth works its way into the story

2: An invisible enemy

3: Three hidden romances

4: Broken friendships

5: A child of destiny to be protected at all costs

6: A shadowy figure of Arthurian legend brought to life

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Guest Post on the Author’s Lounge

Take a look at my guest post on Rising from the Ruins on the Author’s Lounge. https://www.readersmagnet.club/defeat-is-not-the-end-rising-from-the-ruins-by-anna-chant/

And you can buy the book at the bargain price of just 99p or 99 cents until 21st September 2021

Rising from the Ruins

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Coming soon – Fisher King

Book two in Tales of the Wasteland is coming soon! Although this can be read as a standalone novel, the characters’ back stories are covered in detail in Tyrant Whelp. Please note this blurb may contain spoilers for anyone who has not yet read this book.

Told around firesides, retold into legend, his anguish echoes down the centuries…

The tale of the Fisher King

For years the once fertile land of Dumnonia has been a wasteland, where the sun shines without warmth and fields lie empty.

From their stronghold overlooking the sea, Brioc and his wife Jenefry command a coastal realm, ever grateful that while the land lies barren, the waters continue to provide. Devoted to each other, the one shadow on their lives is the absence of a child and with Brioc needing to consider who one day might inherit his realm, tensions run high.

On the nearby moors, their friend Deryn has recovered from the loss of her husband, the erstwhile King of Dumnonia and is preparing to succeed to her father’s kingdom aided by the mysterious Belanger. Although worried over her people’s survival, Deryn’s most pressing concern is to keep her young son, Gerren safe from Markus, the new King of Dumnonia who considers the lad a threat to his reign.

But what none of them realise is that a far greater danger lurks.

It is fast.

It is deadly.

And it is invisible…

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